Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague, Deputy Mary Butler, for bringing forward this motion. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, for her positive response and for her Department's endeavours to progress supports and provide further funding for this area. Dementia has impacted my own family, with my mother suffering from the condition. It is important that we try to keep people at home; I see myself how beneficial that is to the person with dementia. We must increase the provision of home-care packages and fast-track the various schemes.

Great work is being done in this area by the voluntary sector. Colleagues referred to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. I often attend its coffee mornings and see the great support it receives from the public. However, it cannot all come down to voluntary support - we in the Oireachtas must ensure there is adequate State provision for people with dementia. Several speakers noted that the incidence of dementia is increasing. I am aware of several people in my own area with the condition. I read a newspaper article yesterday in which an actor from one of the soap operas spoke about his mother's struggle with dementia. He pointed out that he can afford to keep her at home but there are people who simply do not have the resources to provide home care for their loved ones. I hope the Government will commit to making progress on this issue.

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